Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, wherein the light source module is mounted on the vertical rail, which moves the light source module toward or away from the lens to adjust the size of the illumination spot, wherein the vertical rail and the light source are mounted on the at least one inner rail, and move together along the at least one inner rail.
2. The beam steering mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the at least one inner rail is mounted on two outer rails, and the light source module, the vertical rail, and the inner rail move along the two outer rails.
3. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, wherein the light source module is mounted on the vertical rail, and moves vertically, and wherein the lens is mounted on the at least one inner rail which moves the lens in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.
4. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, wherein the inner rail and the lens are mounted on two outer rails which move the lens and the inner rails along the two outer rails in a horizontal direction.
5. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, and further comprising a contact controller or hand gesture controller that controls at least one of the light source module and the guided rail system, and wherein the contact controller has a beam steering controller for controlling the beam steering of the light, a dimmer for controlling the light level, and a beam size controller for adjusting the size of the beam.
6. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, wherein the lens is a Fresnel lens, and the light source module is mounted on the guided rail system above the Fresnel lens.
This invention relates to a beam steering mechanism designed to precisely control the position of an illumination spot on a surface. The system addresses the challenge of accurately directing a light beam to a specific location, which is critical in applications such as optical sensing, imaging, or material processing. The mechanism includes a Fresnel lens, a light source module, and a guided rail system. The Fresnel lens is a compact, lightweight optical element that focuses light efficiently. The light source module is positioned in the focal plane of the lens, ensuring that the emitted light beam is properly collimated or focused before passing through the lens. The guided rail system consists of a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, providing a stable and adjustable mounting platform. Either the lens or the light source module is mounted to this rail system, allowing precise movement and alignment. The light source module is positioned above the Fresnel lens, directing the light beam downward through the lens to form an illumination spot on a surface. The rail system enables controlled adjustments to the position of the light source or lens, ensuring accurate beam steering for various applications. This design combines simplicity with precision, making it suitable for systems requiring dynamic light beam positioning.
7. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, wherein a transmitter beam spot, the illumination spot, and a control spot are formed at the surface, wherein the control spot controls the illumination and transmitter spots by hand gestures or contact controllers.
8. The beam steering mechanism of claim 7 , wherein the light source module includes an illumination light source and a light-fidelity (Li-Fi) transmitter light source for generating beams of light that form both the illumination spot and the transmitter beam spot.
This invention relates to a beam steering mechanism for optical systems, particularly for applications requiring both illumination and light-fidelity (Li-Fi) communication. The problem addressed is the need for a compact, efficient system that can simultaneously provide illumination and high-speed wireless data transmission using light beams. Traditional systems often require separate components for these functions, leading to increased complexity and size. The beam steering mechanism includes a light source module that integrates an illumination light source and a Li-Fi transmitter light source. These sources generate distinct beams of light: one forming an illumination spot for lighting purposes and another forming a transmitter beam spot for data transmission. The mechanism steers these beams independently or in coordination to direct light to desired locations, such as for adaptive lighting or targeted data transmission. The system may also include a receiver for detecting reflected or transmitted light, enabling feedback control for precise beam positioning. The light source module may be mounted on a movable platform, such as a gimbal or motorized stage, to adjust the beam angles dynamically. The invention ensures efficient use of optical components while maintaining separate control over illumination and communication functions, improving system versatility and performance.
9. The beam steering mechanism of claim 8 , wherein the transmitter light beam includes a LiFi communication light beam and wherein the illumination light beam and LiFi communication light beam are separated in an optical spectrum but co-located spatially in the same spot, wherein the illumination beam is in visible spectrum and the LiFi communication light beam is in an IR spectrum, wherein when the illumination light source is used for both illumination and LiFi communications, there is only one light beam in the spot.
10. The beam steering mechanism of claim 8 , wherein a size of the transmitter beam spot is increased to accommodate multiple users to share a same Li-Fi network by moving the light source module along the vertical rail.
A beam steering mechanism for Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) networks addresses the challenge of efficiently sharing a single Li-Fi network among multiple users. Li-Fi uses light to transmit data, but traditional fixed-beam systems struggle to serve multiple users simultaneously due to limited coverage. This mechanism improves upon existing solutions by dynamically adjusting the size of the transmitter beam spot to accommodate multiple users sharing the same network. The mechanism includes a light source module mounted on a vertical rail, allowing it to move along the rail to adjust the beam spot size. By repositioning the light source module, the beam can be widened or narrowed to cover a larger area, enabling multiple users to connect to the same Li-Fi network without requiring separate transmitters. This approach enhances network efficiency and scalability by optimizing beam coverage based on user distribution. The system may also include additional components, such as a horizontal rail for further beam adjustment, ensuring precise alignment with users. The light source module can be controlled to steer the beam in multiple directions, improving coverage flexibility. This dynamic beam steering solution ensures reliable data transmission to multiple users while maintaining high-speed connectivity, making it suitable for environments where multiple devices need simultaneous access to a Li-Fi network.
11. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, wherein the lens includes a Fresnel lens array, the guided rail system comprises an array of guided rail systems and track rails, and the light source module comprises a plurality of light sources mounted on the guide rail systems, which in turn are mounted on the track rails.
12. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, and further comprising a compass on a rail of the guided rail system to obtain an absolute beam steering direction.
This invention relates to a beam steering mechanism designed to precisely direct a light beam onto a surface. The system addresses the challenge of accurately controlling the direction of illumination in applications requiring dynamic beam positioning, such as optical sensing, imaging, or laser targeting. The mechanism includes a lens and a light source module positioned in the lens's focal plane, ensuring focused beam projection. A guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, supports either the lens or the light source module, allowing controlled movement to adjust the beam's direction. The rail system enables precise positioning of the optical components to steer the light beam. Additionally, a compass is integrated into one of the rails to provide an absolute reference for beam direction, ensuring accurate orientation relative to a fixed coordinate system. This combination of mechanical guidance and directional sensing enhances the system's ability to maintain and adjust beam alignment in real-time applications. The invention improves upon existing beam steering solutions by incorporating a modular rail system with absolute directional feedback, reducing reliance on complex feedback loops or external tracking systems.
13. A beam steering mechanism, comprising: a lens; a light source module positioned in a focal plane of the lens; and a guided rail system, comprising a vertical rail, at least one inner rail, and at least one outer rail, wherein one of the lens and the light source module is mounted to the guided rail system, wherein the light source outputs a light beam at the lens which forms an illumination spot on a surface from the light beam, wherein the beam steering mechanism is constructed and arranged for a track light system, comprising: a non-motorized track light array comprising a plurality of light sources positioned on the guided rail system; at least one motorized track rail of the guided rail system adjacent the non-motorized track light array; and a steering car that moves along the at least one motorized track rail for steering individual light sources of the track light array.
14. A light-emitting device control system for vehicle light beam steering, comprising: a light source; a beam steering mechanism that directs a light beam from the light source at a surface; an input device controller that receives external inputs for beam steering control; a potentiometer for adjusting a light level; and a processor that performs a calculation to determine the amount of beam steering is needed and sends a signal to the beam steering mechanism to perform a beam steering motion according to the calculation.
This invention relates to a light-emitting device control system designed for steering light beams in vehicles. The system addresses the need for precise and adjustable light beam direction in automotive applications, such as adaptive headlights or other vehicle lighting systems, to improve visibility and safety under varying driving conditions. The system includes a light source that generates the light beam, a beam steering mechanism that directs the beam at a target surface, and an input device controller that receives external inputs to control the beam's direction. A potentiometer is used to adjust the light level, allowing for manual or automated brightness control. A processor calculates the required beam steering based on the inputs and sends a signal to the beam steering mechanism to execute the necessary adjustments. The beam steering mechanism may include mechanical, electromechanical, or optical components to redirect the light beam as needed. The system enables dynamic adjustment of the light beam's direction and intensity, enhancing visibility and reducing glare for other drivers. The processor's calculation ensures accurate and responsive beam steering, while the potentiometer provides fine-tuned light level control. This invention is particularly useful in automotive lighting systems where adaptive beam steering is required for improved nighttime driving and safety.
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March 23, 2021
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